All Talk and No Action

"Settling political scores through security and investigative agencies like the CBI is not only bad politics, but also destructive for the nation’s security. To convey the impression (explicitly or implicitly) that Sohrabuddin was targeted for belonging to a particular community, thereby creating a sense of insecurity in a section of society, is detrimental to national interests. It is little known that a large number of Sohrabuddin’s victims were Muslims while a good number of his closest associates (including Tulsiram Prajapati, who was also killed in a similar encounter), were Hindu. William Blake could not have been more right when he said that “a truth that is pursued with bad intent beats all the lies you can invent”.

• Indian Politics and Mahabharat are both rich subjects, requiring deft treatment. Jha failed in this department. Why he mixed both, fails me.

• Life, including Politics, is mostly gray. Jha showcases Politics as uni-dimensional. "Everyone out there is a scoundrel" is what the message appeared to be. Really, it is a very damaging view to hold. Saner and more realistic movies to have come out on politics are Satta by Madhur Bhandarkar and Gulaal by Anurag Kashyap.

• The movie had awful character development. Katrina's new age woman, who is raring to go after the man of her dreams, giving in meekly to the demands of the men in her life, was such a no-brainer! Her character is treated like cattle - auctioned from one party to another. You may say that this is how it is for women from political families. Then, I say, don't show a street smart belle. Someone timid would seem more authentic. Or, at least show a decent fight being put up by the character. Pouts don't count! Similarly, Ranbir's "Arjun" was beyond me. I laughed out when, during the climax, he loathes politics, stating how it brings out the animal in him. Really?? No external force can ever bring out the animal in you, unless you already have one residing within. Ranbir's transformation from an international student of Victorian Poetry to a blood thirsty, scheming mastermind was an assault on my senses. For all the drama about his conscience, there was not a single scene depicting agony or internal debate within him. I hold similar views on all other characters in this opus. Bollywood movie makers really need to work on creating believable characters.

• At a subconscious level, the movie seemed to promote the idea that children of political families are born with political acumen. How else do you explain Ranbir's character? It seemed as if the guy had been writing poetry, always secretly wishing to manage a national election campaign. Duh !

• The quintessential rain sequence - The scene between Nikhila Trikha and Naseeruddin Shah gave the impression that all one requires to unleash stupidity in people is monsoon!

• The only good thing to have come out of the movie is the "Jesth Putra" scene between Trikha and Devgan. It is my official recommendation for the most hilarious scene of the year.

• It would be unfair to say that I found no good in the movie. Arjun Rampal was quite an unexpected delight. So was Shruti Sheth. But that's that.

It's Keith's Day out today.

This piece by him, chalks out the difference between Liberals/Democrats and Conservatives/Republicans.

He nails it, when he says :

For Democrats, the hallmark of a just society is equality. 
For Republicans, the hallmark of a just society is freedom.

*****
I await the day when elections in India would be conducted on the principles stated above; rather than, through the prism of religion and caste.

*****
As a kid, I believed in social equality. Till, I experienced the true benefits of capitalism.

• There has been mounting pressure in The US & EU countries against the war in Afghanistan. So, a lot of these governments, specially the US, now want to get out of the region and focus more on the Af-Pak border, the new terror zone. Hence, peace deals are being " brokered" with the Taliban. Now this peace deal doesn't make much sense to me. There is nothing like a Good/Moderate Taliban. Also, can you buy peace? Who ensures that the contract stays legal and binding ? Again, if the deal fails, India is going to come out as the biggest loser. Hence, having Indian Troops In Afghanistan will put pressure on the West and ensure that Indian Interests are kept in mind
• The peace initiative in Afghanistan is a large scale, resource intensive mission. Being an upcoming economy and a major player in Asian Politics, India cannot afford not to be present in the region
• China and Pakistan, both active players in the region, make it even more imperative for India to work on this part of its Afghan Policy. Humanitarian projects will no longer suffice. Strategic presence is essential
• Having said everything, a peaceful Af-Pak is India's long term interests. Hence, if only to support the US in its peace building initiatives, we need to send our troops to Afghanistan and help the NATO forces

• The most important argument is that of the colossal budgetary requirements. The stay in Afghanistan will be a long haul. How much sense does it make to spend on the peace initiatives in Afghanistan when we have more pressing issues like Maoism, internal terrorism, Sino-India border issues vying for urgent attention ?
• India should be focusing more on strengthening its internal security and intelligence. Terror attacks are only expected to increase
• If US with its billions and a huge armed force could not help the cause, what difference will India make to the region ?
• India's forceful initiatives in Sri Lanka led to the country losing a Prime Minister. Shouldn't we learn from history ?
• Once US withdraws from the region, India will end up being an outsider and antagonising Afghans. Years of camaraderie and genial relationship will go down the drain

Have been thinking bucketfuls on why the NDA couldn't show it's MAGIK this time around too...

Here are my several cents on what I dislike about the NDA and what could be hampering it from emerging as a National Leader -

• National Presence - Not having any presence in major states like TN, Andhra, WB, etc. has always hampered the prospects of the BJP. How can it ever dream of emerging as a National Party if it can't have it's presence felt? Also, I am stressing on BJP's own presence and NOT Allies. I hate alliances. I feel one has to forego a LOT of one's idealogy/Programme if one allies with small parties/brokers. I am sure the party Big Wigs must have done lots of introspection. Hopefully, they would work on this most important deterrent
  
• Dynasties - The most important factor that differentiates the Congress from the BJP is the prominence given to the "Dynasties" in the Congress. The "Ji Huzoori" factor hasn't worked in the BJP. It's a democratic party where anybody from the grassroots can emerge as a leader. One needn't be a Gandhi/Scindia/Pilot/Dutt/Deora to be given a ticket. This was the case uptil now. However, recent cases like Munde asking for Somaiya's ticket be given to Poonam Mahajan is extremely disrespectful towards Somaiya's amazing work in his area and a move towards "Family Raj". This is what I have observed in Mumbai. I am not sure if it is happening elsewhere too. The BJP needs to acknowledge that young blood will refrain from joining it if it moves away from it's "Democratic Core". The BJP is a cadre based party and it should always keep in mind the grassroots level workers. If the workers are unhappy while the bosses keep having their ways, it's going to spell disaster
  
• Young Blood - From the very outset I had a feeling that nominating L.K. Advani might actually prove to be a negative. But on further thought, I couldn't come up with a name that could be shown as the face of the BJP or it's future Leader/ a Probable PM candidate. The party has some great thinkers like Jaitley, Shourie and a few good politicians like Swaraj, Modi, Chauhan, etc. It's high time that these are given better positions than just General Secretaries and Spokespersons. A very strong second rung leadership is of no use if the Old Guard isn't ready to pave way for young talent. Apart from the second rung, it's important to nurture a third rung too ! I personally know of sooo many first time voters who voted for Deora only because he "looked fit, was a Boston return and was young!" It's important to cultivate great minds who are willing to work for the progress of the nation and are young enough to connect with the Urban masses.
  
• Ego - Huge and Brittle Egos have always caused damage. I hope Rajnath Singh is shown his place and we get a better Party President, more in sync with what people want (Hopefully, Jaitley.)
• Work, work and work some more - Orissa, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka have all shown that no amount of debates and discussions and intellectual theories work. It's grassroots level work that has got these CMs back to power. Hope the NDA as a whole realises this and works towards becoming a National Party with genuine work to show around
• Now, I would like to comment on a regional issue and not a national one. BJP's alliance with the Sena in Maharashtra. I have always hated the Sena and it's regressive ideology. Curbs on all sorts of personal freedom, naka-bandi, maar peet on Valentine's Day, patthar baazi when any Thackeray Family member dies and more - This is all that they have stood for. Talk to them about economy and other important issues and they shall run for cover. From recent reports, it seems that BJP is thinking of breaking away from the Sena and allying with the MNS. If this were to happen, it would start losing respect, at least, as far as I am concerned. Again, here, all boils down to going solo, working for the benefit of the masses and establishing oneself as a formidable party

A mandate for Stability is what is being deemed as the UPA's win.

I can't say I am too happy about the results. Yet, the one silver lining that I see is the downfall of the LEFT.

UPA without the LEFT and other Brokers like the Mayawatis and the Mulayams and the Lalus is definitely a better choice and chance at a stable centre.

I am just so glad that "Mayawati For PM" slogan has been nipped in the bud !!

On the one hand, people of Bengal have shown amazing maturity while on the other hand, I am unhappy that people of a Cosmopolitan City like Mumbai have gone and voted for the MNS !?!

Here's hoping that India sees better and stronger governance this time around.

Congratulations to Mr. Singh and his team for this thumping Victory.

As promised to allthecrap, I shall be coming out with the shortcomings of the NDA (a LOT of which I think are responsible for this dismal performance) in my next post...

Sundays are the time when I take a chill pill...

I devour the whole newspaper since doing so is difficult during weekdays.

Today, there is a whole lot of news coverage on the Gen Y and it's "supposed" political awakening.

So many of us have gone ahead, taken pains to find out about our local area candidates, their performances, participation in Parliamentary Proceedings, criminal records, etc.

This is a fabulous development. No country can achieve and sustain democracy without such a participation from the youth.

However, voting in the Lok Sabha elections, on the basis of your local candidate is not what I support/believe in.

Your local candidate has the power to build a temple/mosque in your area, build a gym, keep the street clean, ensure continuous water supply and the likes.

However, does he have any say in the following -

• Reservation in Educational Institutions (A resort to Divisive Politics)
  
• Income Tax Slabs
• Financial/Monetary Policy
• International Relations (The most important being with China & Pakistan)
• Infrastructure Development
• Fair and quick Judicial proceedings
• Zero Tolerance to Terrorism
• AND A LOT MORE......

A brilliant write up on the upcoming elections and how various parties succeed at fooling the masses.

I love Rediff for it's editorial comments on various issues of Security, Intelligence and Politics.

While we are still on politics, I hope you have about the "I Vote" campaign apart from the now very famous Jaagore

Both these are fabulous resources and help one to register online without any hassles.

No more bahanas to not vote !